Governments of Canada and Ontario take action to improve public transit in Sault Ste. Marie

SAULT STE. MARIE, ON, April 13, 2018 /CNW/ - Investing in public infrastructure supports efficient, affordable and sustainable transit services that help Canadians and their families get to work, school and essential services on time and back home safely at the end of a long day.

Terry Sheehan, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and His Worship Christian Provenzano, Mayor of the City of Sault Ste. Marie, today announced more than $2.9 million in funding for three new transit projects that will benefit the residents of Sault Ste. Marie.

The City of Sault Ste. Marie will purchase two new, and eight refurbished, 40-foot buses. In addition, the City will make building repairs to the Transit Garage, including upgrading the ventilation system, switching to LED lighting, and replacing the roof and exterior doors. The new buses will allow the City to retire older buses that have gone beyond their useful life, and maintain a fleet that is capable of meeting the community's growing transportation needs.

This investment is part of an agreement between Canada and Ontario for the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada recognizes how important affordable and efficient transit infrastructure is to growing the economy and giving middle-class Canadians better access to jobs and opportunities. The use of public transit also contributes significantly to the reduction of air pollution, helping keep our city healthy. These projects will make Sault Ste. Marie's transit system more reliable and efficient, and help ensure that our communities remain among the best places in the world to live, work and raise a family."

Terry Sheehan, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"This funding will help to connect the community of Sault Ste. Marie and will make for a more comfortable commute. I am pleased to work with our federal and municipal partners to improve transit options across our province."

The Honourable Kathryn McGarry, Ontario Minister of Transportation

"This funding will assist in the modernization of public transportation in Sault Ste. Marie. The City has undertaken a comprehensive review of transit services that will allow us to efficiently and effectively utilize our revitalized fleet, leading to better service for our residents. Transit is one of the most important services our municipality provides and I want to thank the Government of Canada for their support."

His Worship Christian Provenzano, Mayor of the City of Sault Ste. Marie

Quick facts

• For the three projects announced today, the Government of Canada is providing up to $1,472,500 and the City of Sault Ste. Marie is providing the remaining project costs.
• Under the Investing in Canada plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities.
• $25.3 billion of this funding will support public transit projects, including $5 billion that will be available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
• Since 2004, the Government of Ontario has committed $4.1 billion to municipalities across the province through the provincial gas tax program. This funding supports municipal transit systems.

Associated links

Government of Canada's $180-billion+ Investing in Canada plan: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/about-invest-apropos-eng.html

Investing in Canada plan project map: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/gmap-gcarte/index-eng.html

Federal infrastructure investments in Ontario: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/on-eng.html

The Public Transit Infrastructure Fund: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/ptif-fitc-eng.php

Visit the BuildON map to find out about projects being built in your community: https://www.ontario.ca/buildon

Building better lives: Ontario's Long-Term Infrastructure Plan 2017: https://www.ontario.ca/document/building-better-lives-ontarios-long-term-infrastructure-plan-2017/

Twitter: @INFC_eng
Web: Infrastructure Canada

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada